"A Sailor's Prayer"

During the 1920s, several photographs were made for sale to
Navymen that included a satiric poem entitled "A Sailor's
Prayer". These views featured a sailor in his hammock, musing
about the woes of Navy life, but with a remarkable change in sentiment
as the end of his "hitch" drew near. Copies of these
photos are frequently found in contemporary Sailors' photo albums.

This page features photographs embellished with the poem "A
Sailor's Prayer"

Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 86250

"A Sailor's Prayer"

A hammock-bound Sailor's reflections on Navy lower deck life,
with second thoughts as re-enlistment time nears.
Taken in a 5"/51 gun casemate on board USS Nevada
(BB-36) by A.E. Wells, the ship's photographer, during the early
1920s.
Note ready-service shells on the casemate bulkhead, gun at left,
shoes tied to hammock lashings and tattoo on the man's left leg.

Photograph of a Sailor in his hammock aboard ship, with sentiments
on the Navy and changes in those feelings as re-enlistment time
nears.
The original view was published by P. Wischmeyer, Seattle, Washington,
circa 1923. The photographer, or author of the text, was G. A.
Pickard, USN.